In
this unit:
How do you know if you're a Buddhist or not? Easy. You're
a Buddhist if you've taken refuge in the Triple Gem, and
you do your best to live by the Five Moral Precepts. That
doesn't mean you don't make mistakes sometimes. The important
thing is your commitment. And not giving up when the going
gets tough.

Taking
Refuge in the Triple Gem

A
person is a Buddhist when he or she takes refuge in the
Triple Gem. The Triple Gem is the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.
It is called the Triple Gem because it represents three
qualities which are excellent and precious like a gem.
The Triple Gem is very special to Buddhists. They pay
respect to the Buddha, learn the Dharma, and follow the
advice of the Sangha. By doing this, Buddhists believe
they can become wise and happy.

The
Buddha is the first gem for Buddhists

-
He is the founder of Buddhism.
- He found the Truth.
- He is the most honoured person in Buddhism.
- He represents wisdom.
- He taught us how to find happiness through wisdom
and love.

The
Dharma is the second gem for Buddhists

-
It is the teachings of the Buddha.
- It shows the Truth.
- It helps us gain happiness.

The
Sangha is the third gem for Buddhists

-
It is a group of monks or nuns, or lay followers.
- It represents purity.
- It sets a good example for Buddhists to follow.

The
Five Moral Precepts

When
children become pupils of a new school, they have
to follow rules of that school. When people become
Buddhists, they willingly follow the Five Precepts,
which are the rules for Buddhists.

Following
the ancient tradition, the two steps needed to become
a student of the Buddha are: taking refuge in the
Triple Gem and undertaking the training of the Five
Precepts. These are:

Following
certain rituals is common among people of all countries.
For example, giving gifts on special occasions - such
as birthdays, Christmas or Mother's Day.

Buddhist
rituals consist of giving offerings and chanting in front
of a shrine - maybe it has a Buddha statue on it - in
gratitude to the Buddha.

When
Buddhists make offerings at a shrine, oil-lamps or candles
are lit to show that the Buddha's Teaching is like a
bright light which shows the way to happiness. Incense
is burnt to show that if the Buddha's Teachings are
followed, people will be attracted to that person's
goodness, just as they are attracted to the pleasant
smell of the incense. Flowers are offered to show that
we are all like flowers. The different colours of the
flowers signify the different races we belong to. Yet
even beautiful and sweet flowers grow old and die. If
the Teaching is known, the wisdom that everything must
pass away and die is known and this leads us to love
one another.

"The
moon is looking at you"

Once
there was a very poor family. They often went
to their neighbour's garden to steal some vegetables.

One
night, the father took along his little son into
their neighbour's garden to steal some carrots.
While the father was pulling out some carrots,
his little boy stood beside him. Suddenly, his
son whispered, "Daddy, someone is looking
at us."

The
father became afraid. He quickly looked around
but he could not see anyone. "Where?, Who?"he asked.

The
son pointed to the sky,"There, Daddy.
It's the moon. The moon is looking at us."

The
father was shocked by what his son said. He thought
that nobody could see what he was doing at night.
His son's words made him feel ashamed. He threw
the carrots down and took his son by the hand.
They walked back home in the moonlight. After
that he never stole anything again.